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4 ALBERT EMBANKMENT

LONDON SE1 7SR Telephone: +44 (0)20 7735 7611 Fax: +44 (0)20 7587 3210

Circular Letter No.4204/Add.22/Rev.1 25 June 2020

To: All IMO Member States

United Nations and specialized agencies Intergovernmental organizations Non-governmental organizations in consultative status with IMO

Subject: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Singapore Crew Change Guidebook The Secretary-General circulated, on 11 June 2020, by means of Circular Letter No.4204/Add.22, the Singapore Crew Change Guidebook. The Guidebook has now been revised following updates to Singaporeʹs crew change requirements and the revised version is attached (see also https://www.ssa.org.sg/images/ssa/pdf/Ver2%20-%20SG%20Crew%20Change%20Guidebook%20-%20final.pdf) Arranging crew changes is one of the biggest challenges the shipping industry is currently facing. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, large numbers of seafarers had their contracts extended, unable to be relieved by a crew change after long tours of duty. This situation is unsustainable and severely affects both the safety and wellbeing of seafarers and the safe operation of ships. It is estimated that starting in mid-June 2020, 300,000 seafarers a month will require international flights to enable shipsʹ crew changeover - about half will travel home by aircraft for repatriation while the other half will join ships. In addition, 70,000 cruise ship staff are currently waiting for their repatriation. Recognizing the ongoing challenges that the industry is facing to effect crew change in Singapore, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) initiated the formation of the Singapore Crew Change Working Group with its tripartite partners: the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) and the Singapore Maritime Officersʹ Union (SMOU), and in cooperation with the International Maritime Employersʹ Council Ltd (IMEC) and the World Shipping Council (WSC). The Working Group developed the attached Guidebook which provides guidance to the shipping community on how to effect crew change in Singapore during these extraordinary times. In this connection, the Secretary-General would like to recall two previous Circular Letters addressing this subject: Circular Letter No.4204/Add.14 on Recommended framework of protocols for ensuring safe ship crew changes and travel during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic prepared by the maritime industry and Circular Letter No.4204/Add.18 on Joint statement IMO-ICAO-ILO on designation of seafarers, marine personnel, fishing vessel personnel, offshore energy sector personnel, aviation personnel, air cargo supply chain personnel and service provider personnel at airports and ports as key workers, and on facilitation of crew changes in ports and airports in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The Secretary-General supports the initiative of Singapore, and Member States and international organizations are invited to take this initiative as a model to develop similar guidance to address crew change.

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Circular Letter No.4204/Add.22/Rev.1 Annex, page 1

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ANNEX

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